Langenbrunner, Parise lead Devils over Islanders

Nov 22, 2008 - 5:41 AM
NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils finally
gave some support to one of Martin Brodeur's substitutes.

Captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise each recorded three
assists and five different players scored goals as the Devils
backed Kevin Weekes in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders
on Friday.

David Clarkson and Travis Zajac each tallied in the first
period, while defenseman Bryce Salvador netted his first goal as
a member of the Devils early in the second.

Brian Gionta notched a shorthanded goal and an assist and
blue-liner Paul Martin scored on the power play for the Devils,
who extended their winning streak to three games.

"That's really big for us," Parise said. "We had all the lines
playing really well, we were skating. We were moving the puck
really well, we were capitalizing for a change. I think
everyone's feeling a little more confident right now."

Parise's three assists tied his career high set on October 17,
2007 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Andy Hilbert and Sean Bergenheim scored for the Islanders, whose
three-game winning streak came to an end.

After three straight starts by Scott Clemmensen, Weekes got the
call for New Jersey and made 25 saves en route to his 100th
career win. Weekes had started four of the Devils' first five
contests in the wake of Brodeur's elbow injury.

"It was just the fact that we played three games in four
nights," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "(Weekes) was solid.
He made the saves when he had to. He played a decent game."

Despite receiving valiant efforts from their netminders, the
Devils' offense has been nearly invisible, entering Friday
having scored more than two goals just three times in its
previous eight games.

Clarkson opened the scoring on the man advantage with 79 seconds
remaining in the first period, burying a hard slap shot from
above the right faceoff circle. Langenbrunner helped double the
lead 10 seconds later, when he dished the puck to Zajac, who
flipped it over goaltender Joey MacDonald.

"It's always tough when you give up a couple of quick ones, but
it's just one of those things," MacDonald said. "They made two
great tips, one on the power play, and they came right down
again and made another one."

The goals were the fastest two scored by New Jersey since John
Madden and Patrik Elias tallied eight seconds apart on April 6,
2001 against the Boston Bruins.

"That's always big," Sutter said. "Getting that first one on
the power play was huge, and then we were able to score seconds
later."

Hilbert halved the deficit at 3:29 of the second period, but
Salvador tallied 23 seconds later to restore the Devils'
two-goal advantage.

"Just trying to get a puck on the net and I got a good bounce
there," Salvador said. "I think we came out right from the
start and wanted to play 60 minutes solid. (We are) just making
sure we're playing consistent, getting the pucks in and try to
play in their zone. And when we had our chances, we buried
them.

"We're just trying to focus on playing 60 minutes. Tonight, we
came out playing pretty consistent."

After Bergenheim drew New York within 3-2 with 6:56 remaining,
Gionta tapped a puck under MacDonald's pads while on the penalty
kill with 16 seconds left.

"It was a delayed penalty on the shorthanded (situation),"
Gionta said. "We regrouped out in the neutral zone, (Parise)
made a great move cutting in on net, opening it up. The puck
was just sitting there, kind of bouncing around. (I) just got a
stick on it."

Goalless in his first 12 games this season, Martin netted his
second tally in as many nights with 7 1/2 minutes to go in third
to cap the scoring for New Jersey, which improved to 5-6-2 over
its last 13 contests after winning five of its first six.

"We had plenty of opportunities, a lot of shots and they did a
good job getting in lanes blocking the shots," Martin said. "We
had some shots that got deflected, so it was good to get one in
the back of the net there. It was kind of a relief."

Making his ninth straight start, MacDonald turned aside 28 shots
for the Islanders.

"They're a great team," MacDonald said. "They throw a lot of
stuff at the net and had a couple of good tips. We've just got
to keep battling. We had a few turnovers, and that cost us the
game. In the second period, I thought we started throwing some
stuff at the net, but it seemed like every time we battled back,
they came down. Just one of those nights that the puck was just
bouncing."

The Islanders were upset by a big hit by Devils defenseman Mike
Mottau on Frans Nielsen in the third. Mottau came across and
caught Nielsen, who suffered head and leg injuries.

"I know it was to the head," Islanders captain - and former
Devil - Bill Guerin said. "I came in and I watched it on video
just to make sure. I know Mike Mottau, he's not a dirty player,
but it was a dirty hit. I'm just sick and tired of hearing how
the Players' Association has to get together on this.

"There's a lot of people involved in this. There's the players,
there's the referees, and then there's the league. We all have
a responsibility to the league to make it better. It takes away
from the game."